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LEGOLAND Models Jumeirah Essex House

Manhattan's Landmark Jumeirah Essex House Scales New Heights as LEGOLAND® California Designs and Creates World's Largest Free-Standing Hotel Model from LEGO® Bricks

Designed and Constructed over a 200-Hour Timeframe, Model Tops Out at Approximately 8 1/2 Feet Tall, Features More Than 50 Different Types of Over 62,100 LEGO® Bricks, and Includes More Than 1,800 Windows!

NEW YORK -- December 2007 -- Just in time for the holiday season and in celebration of its 75th anniversary, New York City's iconic Jumeirah Essex House receives an "extreme" makeover LEGOLAND® California-style, becoming the world's largest free-standing hotel model ever constructed out of LEGO® bricks. Earlier this year, LEGOLAND California® was commissioned to design and construct a "to scale" replica of the Jumeirah Essex House in honor of this momentous occasion.

LEGOLAND California's version of The Jumeirah Essex House will be placed in the newly redesigned lobby so both children and adult LEGO fans of all ages can view this visually stunning piece of art that truly captures the hotel's original glamour and essence involved in this 1931 architectural masterpiece.

"Jumeirah, as one of the world's fastest-growing luxury hospitality companies, prides itself on its world-class quality of service, standards and innovation that also has a rich tradition of doing 'larger-than-life' stunts at some of our properties," states Scott Dawson, General Manager, Jumeirah Essex House. "In keeping with this tradition, this model was no exception. To celebrate the completion of the hotel's multi-million dollar refurbishment and mark its 75th anniversary, we wanted to create something extraordinary that pays tribute to our beautiful hotel and commissioned LEGOLAND California to create something that could be considered a major work of art. We applaud them for building and designing such an authentic replica of one of Manhattan's classic Art Deco masterpieces."

"LEGOLAND California has created several hotel models in a popular area of the Park called Miniland USA. In fact, there are more than 15,000 LEGO models and more than 60 rides, shows and attractions within our family theme park," says LEGOLAND California Master Model Designer Eric Hunter. "But never before have I had the opportunity to recreate one of our existing LEGO models and add the details as I did with this model of Jumeirah Essex House. I've had so much fun designing and building this historic hotel and not only am I honored for having this opportunity, but also for guests from around the world to get just a small taste of what they would see when they come out to visit LEGOLAND California."

Hunter spent more than two months and more than 200 hours to design and construct the Jumeirah Essex House model in the Model Shop at LEGOLAND. Hunter is now one of the hotel's "artists-in-residence" (the Jumeirah Essex House earlier this year launched an artists-in-residence program in which commissioned artists design and create artwork based on their residency at the hotel) since he stayed in residency at the Jumeirah Essex House earlier this fall to begin his research for the model. Work began on the model in October and was completed this month.

Design, construction and size details of LEGOLAND California's version of the Jumeirah Essex House are as follows:

  • The overall dimension of the "to scale" model is approximately 3' x 3' by 8�' tall.
  • Total weight of the hotel model is approximately 198 lbs (combined weight with transporting crate is approximately 375 lbs.).
  • More than 50 different types of LEGO bricks, including plates, tiles, special elements, etc. were used in the construction of the model.
  • A total of nine different colors were utilized in the completed model closely resembling the actual colors of the building's exterior and facade. Colors used include white, tan, yellow, brown, red, light gray, dark gray, black and transparent (opaque).
  • It took more than 212 hours for Hunter to design and construct the model.
  • The completed model features a total of 1,885 windows of varying sizes.
  • The model can be taken apart in four major sections and a specially-designed crate has been constructed for transport purposes.
  • In keeping as close to the hotel's original design as possible, the model contains three custom-built spotlights on top of the tower that illuminate the Jumeirah Essex House's renowned, historic and gigantic red-letter sign, which have dazzled New York City visitors for more than 75 years.

Jumeirah Essex House/LEGOLAND model fun facts:
  • A total of 62,160 LEGO bricks were used in the construction of the model and 160 is the coveted address of the Jumeirah Essex House.
  • The LEGOLAND California Master Model Designer's full name is "Jonathan Eric Hunter" whose initials are the same as the Jumeirah Essex House!

About LEGOLAND® California

LEGOLAND® California is a 128-acre interactive theme park dedicated to families with children between the ages of 2 and 12. LEGOLAND was voted "Best Children's Theme Park" four years in a row by Amusement Today and is constantly expanding by adding more than 17 new attractions in the last four years. A $20 million expansion in 2008 introduces a new themed area, Land of Adventure, as well as North America's first SEA LIFE aquarium as a separate entrance. With more than 60 rides, shows and attractions, LEGOLAND is geared towards family fun! There are three other LEGOLAND Parks in the world � LEGOLAND Billund in Denmark, LEGOLAND Deutschland near G�nzburg, Germany and LEGOLAND Windsor outside of London. The LEGOLAND theme parks are a part of Merlin Entertainments Group, the second largest attractions operator in the world. Merlin Entertainments is the leading name in location based, branded, family entertainment and currently owns more than 50 attractions worldwide serving more than 30 million visitors. For the most current information, log on to www.LEGOLAND.com or call (760) 918-LEGO.

About Jumeirah Essex House

The 515-room Jumeirah Essex House is celebrating its 75th anniversary and has recently completed a major $90 million soft goods refurbishment project that will offer a new Tony Chi- designed restaurant featuring noted Chef Kerry Heffernan scheduled to open in January 2008. This historic New York City hotel, with a coveted Central Park address, is ideally located in the heart of Manhattan. Jumeirah Essex House is part of the Dubai-based luxury international hospitality group Jumeirah and sister to the world's most luxurious hotel, Burj Al Arab. Features of the hotel include breathtaking views, unrivalled conference and banqueting facilities.

The Jumeirah Essex House is a recipient of both the Michelin Guide's 2007 "Five Pavilions Award," and the 2007 AAA Four-Diamond Award. The hotel garnered three awards at the recent 2007 14th Annual World Travel Awards in New York including "North America's Leading Hotel," "North America's Leading Business Hotel" and "New York's Leading Business Hotel" voted by travel agents worldwide and was ranked 2nd in the "Best Hotel in the U.S." category in Global Traveler Magazine's 2006 GT Tested Awards.

Other hotels in the Group's portfolio include Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Jumeirah Beach Club Resort and Spa, Madinat Jumeirah and Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai. For reservations, please call Jumeirah Essex House toll free at 1-888-645-5697 or visit www.jumeirah.com.

About Jumeirah

Jumeirah properties are regarded as among the most luxurious and innovative in the world and have won numerous international travel and tourism awards. The Dubai-based luxury hospitality group encompasses the Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London as well as the Dubai portfolio: the world renowned Burj Al Arab, the world's most luxurious hotel; the multi-award winning Jumeirah Beach Hotel; Jumeirah Emirates Towers; Jumeirah Beach Club Resort and Spa; Madinat Jumeirah and Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa.

The group's activities are however, not restricted to hotel and resort management. The Jumeirah portfolio also includes Wild Wadi, regarded as one of the premier water parks outside of North America and The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, the region's only third level academic institution specializing in the hospitality and tourism sectors.

For further information, visit the website at www.jumeirah.com.

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